How to plan your Move during winter weather?

October 13, 2017

Winter is here! Pumpkins and pies, hot chocolates and wine - all you want to do is snuggle up surrounded by coziness. Or perhaps, just lazily watch those snowflakes drift by. The last thing one wants to face in cold weather is moving. Packing and moving houses can be stressful at any given point, but the daunting task of relocating during winter months definitely sends a chill down the spine! Nevertheless, you have to move when you have to move. On the bright side, moving in winter does come with perks. Winter months are usually slower for moving companies, which is great news - you can end up scoring as much as 30% discount on your moving quote in this off-peak season. Now, let us furnish you with our expert moving tips for winter. These simple moving guidelines will ensure that your move in winter will be safer and smoother, without frosting your holiday-spirit!

Hire professional movers: While DIY move might sound tempting, but lugging and moving your stuff in snow, sleet or severe weather conditions is not a risk worth taking. We highly recommend hiring professional movers, and at significantly reduced winter rates, you will get experienced movers who can safely and efficiently move your belongings while at the same time minimize strain on you and your family members. In addition to making your move expeditious, biggest advantage with professional movers is that you are saved from battling sub-zero temperatures outside all day long and potential injuries. You can also avail add-on services at much discounted rates and much wider options - packing materials, boxes, etc. Getamover.com can help you book a reputable, insured, and licensed professional moving company to ease your winter move.

Pack early and pack with care: Packing and labelling your boxes ahead of the actual moving day would mean less hassle. Having organized your boxes and belongings would mean fewer scrambling trips in the cold outside to figure out where they would fit and which ones would get loaded first or last. You would also do well by remembering that packing techniques for winter move would differ from those of summer months, the biggest factor being the most obvious one - temperature! Fragile items like glass or fine china are more susceptible to breaks and cracks if exposed to sub-zero or suddenly reduced temperatures. Extra bubble wrap and protective layers would go a long way in safeguarding antique china, fragile glass pieces, antique furniture articles, etc. Take extra time for insulating and packing the electronics, potted plants, musical instruments and other sensitive objects to keep them safe and in working condition. In case your moving trucks aren't equipped with climate controlled option, it is worth moving them in your car or making alterative arrangements for their relocation.

Keep an eye on the weather: This may sound like a no-brainer, but keeping track of weather conditions will save you a lot of hassle, especially in possibility of inclement weather. Imagine all your items are packed and ready for the move, movers arrive on time and Mother Nature decides to blow a blizzard your way! Be wary of stormy forecasts and severe weather warnings in the weeks leading to your moving day. Transporting your belongings in slippery and wet conditions would be downright dangerous, even for expert movers. Keep in touch with your movers and ensure you're on the same page regarding the moving conditions. Better safe than sorry!

Prepare your vehicle and travel route with caution: The old adage, 'early bird gets the worm' holds true during a winter move. Since days are shorter in colder months, one can't go wrong by starting early and finishing the move before darkness settles in. If your move involves long distance, it would be a good idea to have your vehicle serviced in advance to make sure everything is in perfect working condition. The last thing you want is to get stranded due to car break down in freezing conditions. Pack an emergency kit with essential supplies - flash light, snow scarper, gloves, salt, shovel and don't forget to keep additional warm clothes and blankets. Give yourself some extra travel time as the roads might be slick with sleet or the snow and might take usual than longer to drive in inclement weather conditions. Have a route planned out in advance, determine its safety and confirm with your movers to get their professional moving opinion. But be ready to change at the eleventh hour as your preferred route might be blocked due to unplowed snow.

Keep winter supplies ready: Don't pack away your winter gear; going through every box to find your snow shovel might be a pain. Stock up and keep winter supplies ready before the move. Be sure to leave out extra layering clothes, scarves, hats, gloves, boots, blankets, coats, etc. so that they don't end up on moving trucks while leaving your teeth chattering! Shovels, salt, snow scraper, warm mittens will come in handy to clean the driveways, melt the icy sidewalks, and dig out a safe path in snow. Covering the carpet and hardwood floors with plastic tarps and keeping multiple floor mats can also go a long way in protecting your floors and keeping everyone safe.

Clear the snow: Here comes the most dangerous part of moving in winter months. Nothing can be riskier than lugging out heavy boxes or furniture down the icy sidewalks. The first and most vital thing to do on the moving day is to ensure that all the walkways, sidewalks and driveways in and around your home are cleared and safe for everyone. Be proactive to keep wide snow-free paths accessible during entire move. Use shovels, salt, sand or snow blower to remove slippery conditions and melt icy buildups.

Ensure open parking: Overnight plowing may result in formation of slushy snow banks barring access to your house or even block parking area. You must therefore ensure safe and clear parking is available for moving truck and enough space for loading bulky items. Enlist the help of neighbors to make parking possible and take time to dig out an access path to your house to prevent injuries and damage.

Stay warm, inside out: Relocating in winter is surely a daunting endeavor, and a helping of hot cocoa won't go amiss! Keeping ready a crock pot full of warm cider, hot chocolate, hot tea or coffee would surely warm your insides and be welcomed by your movers. Take short breaks in-between to relieve those numbed fingers and pass around hot beverages to everyone helping your move; you'll earn many thanks!

Your new home is ready to receive you: A couple of days prior to your arrival, or at least 2 days in advance, make sure that electricity and water supply are up and running in your new home. Ensuring that all utilities are functioning smoothly before relocation is a matter of common sense irrespective of weather conditions, but definitely more in winters. Imagine having to spend your first night in the new home shivering without proper heat or light, on top of a long move day! Better to have utilities set up beforehand.

Protect your belongings from snow: Wetness from melting snow can dampen the cardboard boxes and seriously damage your possessions. Having extra sheets and plastic tarps ready for covering your furniture and boxes would not only protect them from harm, but also prevent growth of mold and mildew. Keep old rags or towels handy for wiping wet surfaces or any boxes that get dirty from snow.

Make arrangements for pets and kids: Moving in winter is no doubt stressful, but gets even tougher with small children and pets around. Pets can easily come in the way of movers and get injured underfoot or even sneak outside through open doors. The last thing you want to deal with is stress of missing pet or having a child fall sick due to cold. It's worth arranging childcare or hiring babysitter, and boarding your pets at local kennel or pet care facilities for the moving day. Alternatively, you could also check with friends or family members and seek their help for your kids and furry friends.

Be prepared with a Plan B: What makes a winter move complicated is the overall unpredictability of the weather. While we strongly advise keeping close eye on weather forecasts, it is still possible that sudden blizzards, snow storms or even sleet may sneak up on the day of your scheduled move. If Mother Nature decides to throw a snowy curveball your way, a backup plan would be your only respite - expect the unexpected and be ready with a Plan B, specifically during winter relocation. In severe conditions, lean on the cautious side and check if your movers can cooperate and reschedule the move to another day. After all, good movers will have experience in dealing with inclement weather challenges and would offer you best solutions. It's not worth risking the safety of their personnel and your belongings.

Be kind to the movers: Dealing with bitter cold and frosty weather may not be ideal for the movers, yet they face harsh conditions to load, transport and unload your belongings. Be considerate and show your appreciation through generous tips. Hand out snacks, hot beverages or small meals during breaks and they would surely be thankful for your gesture.

The secret recipe for a smooth winter move is simple: a dash of planning, little foresight, some precaution and our helpful tips. You can definitely make your move a success, irrespective of the weather, and most importantly without losing your wintry cheer!

Just fill out our simple online quote form, and let us make your winter move smooth, convenient, and stress free.

About Author

Lata Khatwani is a freelance writer specializing in business, health and lifestyle topics.